Thursday, February 22, 2007

Mahmudiya, South of Baghdad

The Rape and Murder of Abeer Hamza

One day the war will come to an end. For the people of Mahmudiya (also known as Mahmudiyah, Al-Mahmudiyah) the memory of what took place on March 12, 2006 will remain alive for a long time after the guns become silent. The wheel of justice is moving for the soldiers of 502nd Regiment, 101st Airborne Division, charged with taking part in the rape and murder of a young Iraqi girl named Abeer Qasim Hamza. A second soldier, Sgt. Paul Cortez, has confessed. Steven Green, reported to be the one who shot and killed her parents and her 5-year old sister before raping and killing Abeer Hamza, was discharged from the army before the investigation revealed his role. He is on trial as a civilian.